[Graeme]

These are very important questions. Let's just wait and see what the promoters do with the money they have raised. The people they hire ought to devise a pathway forward. It's not my job to do this but I will report on any findings when published.

[MD]

Yeah, "solar road" is a one thread topic, for now.

[Graeme]

It’s official: Everybody loves the idea of roads that generate solar power

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'L')ast month, we asked whether solar roads could generate enough energy to serve some of the nation’s power needs.

With tens of thousands of miles of solar-power generating roads, parking lots, sidewalks and other open spaces–without needing to clear space in untouched, natural areas–it seems like an ideal, if expensive solution.

It’s one that’s caught the public’s imagination though. The company proposing the idea, Solar Roadways, has smashed its Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign target of $1 million.

In fact, it’s now at $1.9 million committed, and its deadline has been extended to June 20.

Now it’s important to note: Widespread public support in no ways guarantees success.

But the couple behind Solar Roadways, Scott and Julie Brusaw, have clearly struck a chord with their backers.

They’ve also developed a product that, at the prototype stage, answers a whole lot of difficult questions that startup companies aren’t always prepared to answer.



Again, proper solar roads are a long way off. Replacing every single mile of U.S. highway with solar panels could be a hundred years away, and there are still many hurdles to overcome.

[Newfie]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('pstarr', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', '.') . . there are still many hurdles to overcome.

[Graeme]

Pstarr, Sorry, commercial operation has started. Sandpoint is the first customer (see link above).

[manicthrasher]

Graeme, I wish you were a financier for my ventures. It seems if something is commercial, may be commercial, or even has a 'road-map' (the DOE algae plan), you deem it to be a success. I've just created a business. Care to forward me some cash? No interest, of course, and the chances the principal will be repaid are extremely low. Heh.

[Rod_Cloutier]

I saw the 'Solar freaking roadways' video today on you tube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=p ... rnpgzU#t=0

Even if major roads and trucks routes aren't possible due to wear and tear, and cost issues, the video suggests we should start with basketball courts, public walkways, sidewalks, and personal driveways.

Greatest new idea in a long time- I think I'll redo my driveway. (Next on my to do list)

[Subjectivist]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Repent', 'I') saw the 'Solar freaking roadways' video today on you tube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=p ... rnpgzU#t=0

Even if major roads and trucks routes aren't possible due to wear and tear, and cost issues, the video suggests we should start with basketball courts, public walkways, sidewalks, and personal driveways.

Greatest new idea in a long time- I think I'll redo my driveway. (Next on my to do list)

[Rod_Cloutier]

I watched that debunking video and he is right on most points. I doubt this would ever 'scale up'.

Still you and I, are aware of peak oil, the coming collapse of the dollar, and other issues or you wouldn't be here on this site.

Clearly, it would still work for small scale, for local power generation. Sidewalks, basketball courts, and driveways which are vacant 80% of the time, as actually suggested in the original concept video, would work. I'd redo my driveway with it, especially if it would lower my electric bills. After peak oil and or the collapse of the dollar, its small scale changes like this which will allow civilization to continue at some level.

[Rod_Cloutier]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'B')ut like he says in the video, you put the panels up on the roof. That's where mine are. And it's closer to the sun! LOL

[Newfie]

Repent,

Do a cost benefit analysis, for real, on how to save energy and how to become energy independent. Then order your solutions so that you spend the money wisely, taking the low hanging fruit first.

[Newfie]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Newfie', 'G')ood grief,not this kind of tripe again!

This is a scam out and out.

[americandream]

Solar roads from the perspective of the ordinary bloke will probably buy us time (if feasible)....perhaps stretch capitalism out another 4 decades or so beyond mid century. So from that point of view, I guess some can draw comfort. But when all is said and done, earth's capitalists will try and use this time to move elsewhere as another 7 decades of JIT consumerism's rubbish pump and dump will pretty much see this planet rendered uninhabitable.

[Graeme]

Here is some more info about this project that I wasn't aware of and I bet you weren't either.

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'T')he Solar glass surface has been tested for traction, load testing, and impact resistance testing in civil engineering laboratories around the United States, and exceeded all requirements.

Solar Roadways is a modular system that will modernize our aging infrastructure with an intelligent system that can become the new Smart Grid. Solar Roadways won the Community Award of $50,000 by getting the most votes in GE's Ecomagination Challenge for "Powering the Grid" in 2010. Solar Roadways had the most votes again in their 2011 Ecomagination Challenge for "Powering the Home".

On August 21, 2013, Solar Roadways was selected by their peers as a Finalist in the World Technology Award For Energy, presented in association with TIME, Fortune, CNN, and Science.

Solar Roadways was chosen by Google to be one of their Moonshots in May of 2013.

Solar Roadways was chosen as a finalist in the IEEE Ace Awards in 2009 and 2010.

Solar Roadways has given presentations around the country including: TEDx Sacramento, Google's Solve for X at Google's NYC Headquarters, NASA, Keynote Speaker for the International Parking Institute's Conference, to name some.

Solar Roadways is tackling more than solar energy: The FHWA tasked with addressing the problem of storm water. Currently, over 50% of the pollution in US waterways comes from storm water. Solar Roadways has created a section in our Cable Corridors for storing, treating, and moving storm water.

The implementation of its concept on a grand scale could create thousands of jobs in the US and around the world. It could allow everyone the ability to manufacture out of our current economic crisis.

[americandream]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Graeme', 'H')ere is some more info about this project that I wasn't aware of and I bet you weren't either.

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'T')he implementation of its concept on a grand scale could create thousands of jobs in the US and around the world. It could allow everyone the ability to manufacture out of our current economic crisis.